Improved friction-match for retaining fire



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JOHN H. STEVENS, on NEW roan, N. Y.

IMPROVED FRICTION-MATCH FOR RETAINING FlRE, ENTiTL-ED STEVENS FUSEE CIGAR-LIGHT.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. [,414, dated November 16, 1839.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that 1, JOHN HUCKS STEVENS, ot the city, county, and State of New York, match manufacturer, have invented, made, and applied to use certain new and. useful Improvements in Matches known by the name of Friction-Matches, and of other instantaneous lights, used for the igniting ot' cigars and other tobacco.

The nature of my invention consists in dispensing with sulphur, which is employed in the ordinary wood matches or friction-lights to make them more ignitible, and using in lieu of it niter or saltpeter, by which means the match is not only ignited, but the unpleasant effects of the sulphur are avoided, while at the same time the matclnbeing saturated with the niter, is converted into a slow-match, and continues to burn until consumed. The said matches I call Stevens Fusee Gigar-Lights. The mode of effecting said improvement and the results obtained are fully set forth and shown in the following specification: I saturate the wooden material, of which the bodyof the match is formed, with a solution of saltpeter, consisting of four ounces of saltpeter and twelve ounces of water. To this solution I add, for the purpose of dyeing, any of the known dyes or pigments, and for the purpose of perfuming any of the perfumes now in use; or I make any quantit-yin similar proportions, and 1 then simmer the whole together over a slow fire for half an hour. I then dry the wooden material, after being so saturated, in an oven or stove moderately warm, or by a gentle heat otherwise applied, till all the moisture contained in the wood shall have been expelled. In this state the wood or sticks are ready to receive the phosphoric composition of matter intended for the ignition of the said wood or sticks. That which I use is prepared and compounded as in the mode set forth in my specification for a new and improved composition of phosphoric matter, bearing date November, 1839, or a phosphoric compound analogous to the above may be used. The said phosphoric compounds of ignitible matter are applied as to other matches and then allowed to dry. They are then ready for use, and the wood will be ignited without the aid of brimstone, when slight friction is applied to the ignitible matter applied as aforesaid.

What I claim as my invention and improvement is not the saturating the wood with. niter or saltpeter, that has often been done, nor do I claim the phosphorus as my inventionybut The combination of the wood, when saturated and dried as above, with any phosphoric compound employed for friction-matches, without the intervention of brimstone or any similar material. This I believe to be new and know it to beuseful, as it will burn in the wind and not be extinguished by it, and it emits no unpleasant smell from brimstone or any other matter.

JOHN HUOKS STEVENS. Witnesses:

WM. P. FLINT,

A. MoOREAnY. 

